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True crime

True crime

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True crime

True crime

Serie quindicinale
True crime

True crime

23/06/2025
Economia

Economia

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True crime

True crime

Serie

4 GG FA

How to Spot a Fake ICE Agent

Criminals have been impersonating ICE agents, using fake badges to rape, rob, kidnap, and terrorize communities across America. These imposters have conducted workplace raids, street stops, and home invasions. They wear tactical gear, drive unmarked vehicles, and ask "Are you a U.S. citizen?" Our investigation documented 13 cases spanning from 2016 to last week. We also talk with Laura Jajeed, a reporter who received a job offer from ICE despite skipping most of the application process. Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault, police violence, and the deaths of U.S. citizens. Listener discretion is advised. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 gg fa

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33 min
1 G FA · CONTENUTI EXTRA

Introducing Everything They Missed

Hey guys, it's Javier here with a new recommendation! I've come across a true crime podcast that I just had to share with you all. It's called 'Everything They Missed' and it's hosted by Stephanie Tinsley. This podcast dives deep into the possible wrongful conviction and police mishandling of the Danny Harris case, a particularly gruesome murder that was mishandled from the get-go. What sets this podcast apart is Stephanie's dedication to uncovering the truth, including hiring her own private investigator https://www.everythingtheymissed.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 g fa · Contenuti extra

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35 min
31 GEN · CONTENUTI EXTRA

Listener Reaction: Didn't See It Coming Part 3

Patreon supporter Kenito Wills joins Javier to break down the finale of the "Didn't See It Coming" series. They talk through Susanne Wilson calling off the reading at the last minute. Did she know it was a sting? Did she just have a bad feeling? Javier shares a detail that got cut from the episode: Suzanne actually arranged for the fake family to get a reading with another medium in Europe, which suggests she wasn't 100% sure it was a setup. Plus: Kenito and Javier swap palm reading stories from college. Kenito was told he'd have five kids (he didn't). Javier was told he'd meet the love of his life right after a bad breakup (he did). The takeaway isn't that psychics aren't real or that you can't grieve however you want. It's that if someone mentions Reynolds Wrap and your maiden name is Reynolds, maybe ask some questions. Susan Gerbic's YouTube channel "Psychics Explained" has dozens of videos documenting Operation Banana Cream Pie and other investigations. Link in the show notes. Watch the full videos of Operation Banana Cream Pie on Susan Gerbic's YouTube page: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcSfdioxwHQGkyFZ68maphdIJuYcb8xln Want to see more psychic stings? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

31 gen · Contenuti extra

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17 min
14/10/2025

Cracks in the Fandom part 2

Meghan Walsh says she is being stalked by three people. One of them is Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay. Sounds impossible, right? But she’s not the only one saying it. In this episode, we meet Lauren. She claims to be the biological mother of Mariska’s adopted daughter. Her story begins with a supposed secret adoption, and spirals into accusations of betrayal and abandonment. Lauren says the actress is not just stalking her, but working behind the scenes to silence anyone who challenges her. Meghan believes her. To her, Lauren is the missing piece that proves her own story is real. But the more we dig, the harder it becomes to separate truth from delusion. Is this the beginning of a deeper conspiracy? Or just another internet rabbit hole? This extended version includes additional narration and soundbites not available in the public edit. Let me know what you think of the series so far. Your feedback will help shape the final episodes before they go live in the main feed. All 4 Episodes Available now on Pretend+ and Patreon PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio PRETEND+ on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14/10/2025

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42 min
06/10/2025

Cracks in the Fandom part 1

🎧 NEW SERIES: “Cracks in the Fandom” What would you do if you thought your favorite celebrity was stalking you? That’s exactly what Meghan Walsh claims. She says she’s being harassed by not one, not two—but three stalkers. And one of them? Is Mariska Hargitay, best known as Detective Olivia Benson from Law & Order: SVU. Yeah. I know how that sounds. But here’s the thing: the more I looked into it, the more the story started to twist. This new series, Cracks in the Fandom, is not about whether Mariska is actually stalking someone (spoiler: come on). It’s about why someone might believe that. What happens when online relationships go sideways. And what’s really going on underneath the noise. I’m releasing the first three extended cuts that are ~10 minutes longer than what you'll eventually hear on the public feed. There are 5 episodes total. And trust me, this story goes places I did not expect. Your feedback means a lot. Let me know what you think of the pacing, the structure, or anything that feels confusing. This is your sneak preview—and your chance to help shape how the story is told. First 3 episodes available now on Patreon and PRETEND+: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio PRETEND+ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/pretend/id6443456985 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

06/10/2025

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39 min
21/10/2025

Cracks in the Fandom part 3

Cracks in the Fandom — Part 3 (Edited Copyright Cut)PRETEND: Stories about real people pretending to be someone they’re not Michelle Ivey has been painted as the villain. Meghan Walsh calls her a stalker, a criminal, a threat to her life. She’s warned not to contact her. But in this episode, I do just that. I talk to Michelle. And what I find is something very different from the unhinged boogeyman Meghan has described for years. What if Michelle isn’t stalking anyone at all? What if she’s just a fan? In Part 3, the story begins to fracture. Meghan's claims get louder. But her evidence starts to slip. And the people she says are targeting her… start to speak up. This is the extended version of the episode. If you're listening now on Patreon or Pretend+, I'd love to know what you think. Is this story about stalking, delusion, or something else entirely? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21/10/2025

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45 min
09/09/2025

State of Corruption: Ohio part 2

Tyler Fehrman went undercover for the FBI after his mentor, Ohio GOP chair Matt Borges, offered him a $15,000 check. His recordings helped uncover a $63 million bribery scheme that brought down House Speaker Larry Householder. This is Part Two of State of Corruption from Pretend. Credits: Portions of this episode reference material from the HBO documentary Dark Money Games.Written and Produced by: Javier Leiva & Mackenzie AmesEditor: Puneeth Shenoy with Podcast Pundits Listening on Spotify? Scroll down and leave a comment on this episode. Tell me what corruption stories are happening in your state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

09/09/2025

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41 min
27 GEN

Didn't See It Coming (Part 3)

The sting is set. The bait is in place. Six skeptics are logged into a Zoom call, pretending to be grieving siblings. They've paid $1,400 for a private reading with a medium Susan Gerbic believes is a hot reader. Months of planning have led to this moment. And then... the medium does something no one expected. In the finale of this three-part series, we find out what happened to Operation Banana Cream Pie. Then, Susan shares recordings from other readings she's analyzed, walking us through what she believes is evidence of hot reading in action. We break down the techniques, examine the receipts, and let you decide what it all means. Watch the full videos of Operation Banana Cream Pie on Susan Gerbic's YouTube page: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcSfdioxwHQGkyFZ68maphdIJuYcb8xln Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 gen

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43 min
16/09/2025

The Monster

Listener discretion is advised. This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and may not be suitable for all audiences. In 1964, Winston Moseley stalked and murdered Kitty Genovese. The case became infamous not only for its brutality but also for the silence of neighbors who heard her cries and did nothing. During his trial, Moseley confessed to other killings, including the murder of 15-year-old Barbara Kralik. But another man, Alvin Mitchell, had already confessed to that crime. Two men. Two confessions. One murder. This episode is not just about Barbara Kralik’s death. It is about Alvin Mitchell, who later reinvented himself as a minister and claimed he was a wrongfully convicted man saved by God. Behind that testimony, his children say Alvin was hiding decades of abuse. You will hear from Naomi, one of Alvin’s daughters, and Pastor Pete, a prison minister who once worked alongside Alvin. And for the first time, you will hear Alvin himself as I confront him directly. This is a story about the cost of looking away. 👉 Support independent investigative storytelling. Join PRETEND on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pretendradio Fraud Uncovered by Trade Winds October 01, 2025 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/rvcxhpf/lp/3e23dfff-59f6-4be9-82b2-821afd2293b1?mode=preview&source_id=34206647-f2bd-4bc3-9c6a-4f3882a86833&source_type=em&c= To book Javier Leiva for keynotes, workshops, or speaking events, visit pretendradio.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

16/09/2025

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44 min
30/09/2025

The High School Hoax Update

A 32-year-old woman enrolled herself in three Boston high schools and passed as a teenager. She sat in classrooms, made friends with freshmen, and even joined the girls basketball team. She wore number 32 on her jersey, which also happened to be her real age. This is the story of Shelby Hewitt, a state social worker who lived a double life. For two years, she convinced students, teachers, and administrators that she was a foster kid with nowhere else to go. She built fake social workers and false backstories to make her cover believable. When PRETEND first aired this episode, there were more questions than answers. Was Shelby trying to relive her youth? Was she gathering information on the kids she worked with? Or was she doing this just for kicks? In this replay, you will hear the original story and then get the latest updates. Since the episode first aired, new details have emerged about the extent of her lies and who got caught up in them. We will also examine the criminal charges she is currently facing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30/09/2025

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33 min

PRETEND is an investigative true crime podcast about real people who lie for a living — con artists, scammers, and the victims caught in their web. Hosted by journalist Javier Leiva, PRETEND exposes the human psychology behind deception and fraud. Each episode follows a real case of manipulation — from financial scams and Ponzi schemes to digital hoaxes and emotional cons. PRETEND explains how and why deception works without shaming victims, combining ethical journalism with cinematic storytelling. Featured in lists of the best podcasts about con artists and scams, PRETEND investigates crimes of persuasion, trust, and betrayal. New episodes drop regularly with stories that reveal how manipulation shapes modern life, both online and off. PRETEND is produced by Creative Babble, LLC. © 2026 Creative Babble LLC [CLAIM:B6BT3XC4]

5,0 (2)

TRUE CRIME
Criminal Conduct is an investigative true-crime podcast series hosted by John Taylor and Javier Leiva. Season 1: The hosts look into the death of Michelle O'Connell, picking up the investigation where the murdered sleuth, Eli Washtock, left off. Season 2: The investigation of a rogue constable in Kentucky who is accused of planting drugs, stealing money, and shaking people down. Season 3: An American Serial Killer in Paradise: The story of serial killer William Holbert, aka "Wild Bill," and his victims. Season 4: Getting Away with Murder: The Death Investigation of Pravin Varughese Season 5: The Life and Death of Buffalo Jim Barrier

5,0 (2)

TRUE CRIME
Welcome to The Ponzi Playbook, the podcast that exposes the dark underbelly of the financial world. Join hosts Neal McTighe and Javier Leiva as they take you on a journey through the seedy world of financial fraud, exploring the twisted minds of the people behind some of the most audacious Ponzi schemes in history.

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ECONOMIA

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PRETEND+ is a collection of true-crime podcasts created by Javier Leiva. Get exclusive content and bonus interviews from PRETEND, CRIMINAL CONDUCT, and THE PONZI PLAYBOOK.

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PRETEND+

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Top podcast

How to Spot a Fake ICE Agent

Introducing Everything They Missed

Listener Reaction: Didn't See It Coming Part 3

Cracks in the Fandom part 2

Cracks in the Fandom part 1

Cracks in the Fandom part 3

State of Corruption: Ohio part 2

Didn't See It Coming (Part 3)

The Monster

The High School Hoax Update

Get exclusive episodes, early access, and more

The Stalker - So what happens to the kids? (bonus)

The Return of the Stalker (part 20)

BONUS: Inside the eLIESabeth Podcast

HACKED: Internet Hitmen Aren't Really A Thing

The Stalker - Fly on the wall (Bonus)

LaDonna: A Series of Unfortunate Events

BONUS: Online Bullshit Takes on LaDonna – Unfiltered and Hilarious

The Stalker - Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (part 17)

Love and Taxes (plus Stalker update)

The Stalker part 11

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